Work ethic sees Marvin Sordell become the star pupil

Watford are profiting from Marvin Sordell's hard work and Malky Mackay thinks there is even more to come from the striker.

The 19-year-old's header last night, his sixth goal in eight games, earned a 2-1 victory over Ipswich at Vicarage Road and moved Mackay's men into third in the Championship.

Sordell made a concerted effort over the summer to improve his game and Mackay says the player has not let up.

"He's learning every week and is causing people problems," said the Watford manager. "It's not easy to score goals at this level and he is managing to do that because he is working hard and has a good partner with him in Danny Graham."

Stephen McGinn opened the scoring with a volley before Sordell got on the end of Andrew Taylors cross to make it 2-0 in the 43rd minute.

Sordell said: "I went away in the summer and worked really hard so I could be ready to challenge for a place in the team this season. Luckily, I've done well enough to play and have scored a few goals too."

Ipswich reduced the deficit in the 69th minute through's David Norris's excellent header.

Goalkeeper Scott Loach punched away a set-piece but was on the floor as Norris arched in a header from fully 20 yards with two defenders on the line.

Despite that, Watford held on for only their second home victory of the season.

Mackay said: "The support that have come to watch us have seen good football and chances. But we have not closed a couple of games out well in the last minutes."

It wasn't all good news for Watford fans, though, as Mackay revealed Don Cowie could be missing for more than a month.

The midfielder was unable to play last night after twisting knee ligaments in the defeat to Portsmouth on Saturday.

Mackay said: "At the moment we're looking at him being out for between four and six weeks."